IKAR Reports

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The International Commission For Alpine Rescue (IKAR)

The IKAR history in mountain rescue operations and standards goes back to 1948, and their work has affected the improvement of rescue operations everywhere in the world. The IKAR has 31 member countries who meet regularly and whose activities are closely followed by the climbing and manufacturing communities in Europe and other countries. IKAR celebrated its 50th anniversary in Switzerland in 2008.

The IKAR permits one voting delegate from each country to each of the four committees, Terrestrial, Avalanche, Medical and Aviation. IKAR requires delegates to be field-experienced rescue team leaders who are preferred to have bilingual capabilities (German or French, although English is becoming more common). In its recent meetings the IKAR has provided professional translators and first rate simultaneous translation through headphones at the annual events. US delegates provide an annual report to various SAR audiences each year and are expected to attempt to impact SAR by cooperation across the borders, and standardization, such as with International SAR and Wilderness Accident Statistics.

Individual IKAR commissions generally meet at least twice per year, although this is at times combined with the annual meeting. In September or October each year the entire IKAR congress meets for presentations, papers and demonstrations. The Reports of US delegates are listed on this page.

Joint cooperation by NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue), the MRA (Mountain Rescue Association) ICSAR (US Federal Interagency Commission for SAR), the Wilderness Medical Society, Helicopter Association International, National Ski Patrol, Association of Avalanche Professionals, and additional financial support from CMC Rescue and Boeing have enabled the US delegation.

IKAR Website